If it’s difficult to report a health and safety concern, get help from your steward or your ETFO local.

Ensuring that our school communities are safer and healthier places to learn and to work is an important part of supporting student achievement and educator excellence.

Ensuring health and safety in schools is an essential part of any supervisory officer’s responsibilities.Council of Ontario Directors of Education

Workplace complaints to the ministry about exposures to chemicals and a lack of proper ventilation are often associated with larger-scale maintenance activities or renovations.(Education sub-sector, Industrial Sector Plan 2012-2013, Ministry of Labour)

This awareness training will lay the foundation for building a strong occupational health and safety culture in the province of Ontario.George Gritziotis, Chief Prevention Officer, Province of Ontario

To help ensure that students have acceptable, suitable environments to learn in, the Ministry of Education should develop an ongoing process to identify and address urgent capital renewal needs before schools become prohibitive to repair.School Renewal and Maintenance, 2010 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario

Accidents, deaths, and injuries have far reaching effects on students, educators, families and communities. The fact is they are preventable, and everyone has a role to play in that prevention.Sam Hammond, ETFO President

A safer, healthier workplace means you can be at your professional best without the stress of illness or injury.

Workplace violence and harassment, “is a concern when working with students in general, and particularly for educational assistants and teachers who work with special needs students.”(Education sub-sector, Industrial Sector Plan 2012-2013, Ministry of Labour)

A strong safety culture is dependent upon demonstrating a commitment to safety by the senior management of an organization.Council of Ontario Directors of Education

The work to prevent student injuries and to ensure student health and safety is by no means complete (CODE 2014)

Joint Health and Safety Committees

Making the most of JHSCs

The Joint Health and Safety Committee is not only required by legislation, it has an essential role in promoting health and safety in the school community and throughout each school board. The JHSC includes both management and worker representatives who meet as equals. It is important to remember that the Occupational Health and Safety Act is clear that the school board, as the employer, has the greatest responsibility for health and safety in the workplace. The JHSC identifies potential health and safety issues and brings them to the school board’s attention. The JHSC must be kept informed of health and safety developments in the workplace by the school board.

ETFO members who serve as representatives to their JHSC provide a vital voice for educational professionals.

A Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Ministry of Labour, 2012.

A Guide for Joint Health and Safety Committees and Health and Safety Representatives in the Workplace, Ministry of Labour, 2012